The History of Elkhart High School
Elkhart (population 443) is located in central Illinois about 10 miles southwest of Lincoln and 15 miles
northeast of Springfield. Interstate Highway 55 is the main roadway to and from this southwestern Logan County town. The
Illinois Central Gulf Railroad line runs through Elkhart parallel to I-55.
Elkhart was platted in 1855 and eventually officially incorporated by the state of Illinois in 1861.
Originally, and for over a century, the town was known as Elkhart CIty. Due to technicalities the name was changed to
simply Elkhart in 1979. There is a great history of the town available on its website www.elkhartillinois.com .
The first school building was set in place in 1855 as well. We are lacking for any in-depth school
history of Elkhart. It is probable that a high school curriculum was in place in Elkhart by the late 1800s. Elkhart
High School did exist for many years, well over seven decades in fact. It was in 1974 that Elkhart High
School was deactivated. The high school-aged kids of Elkhart now attend school in nearby Mt. Pulaski.
Elkhart is still home to a grade school for kids in grades K - 8. The original Elkhart High School
building however has been raised. The only remaining part of the original school is pictured above, now used as a bus
garage.
Elkhart High School Quick Facts
Year opened: late
1800s
Year closed: 1974
Consolidated to:
Mt. Pulaski High School
Elkhart team nickname: the "Redbirds"
Team colors: Red
& White
School Fight Song: "We're
Loyal To You Elkhart High"
We're loyal to you Elkhart High
We're red and we're white, Elkhart High
We'll back you to stand
'Gainst the best in the land
For
we know you have sand, Elkhart High
Rah!
Rah!
So crack out the ball, Elkhart High
We're backing you all, Elkhart High
Our team is our fame protector:
On!
Boys for we expect a
Victory from you Elkhart High!
